She gave me samples of the AcipHex. The first day was okay then after that I started getting a dull headache then after 6 days progressed to the headache from H-E double toothpicks that would not respond to any pain meds. I started becoming weak, feeling flu-like and started having cramps in my feet of all places!

Sunday I decided that was enough and Monday the headache was gone, though yesterday I was still so weak and had profound fatigue..today I feel much better...thank God.

The only "good" thing from that med was the relief from the heartburn and it seemed to be helping my chronic constipation.

I'm wondering if there are any other PPI's that don't have those kind of side effects or any other med beside the over the counter type, such as Tagamet and the like?

Sarah,You should definitely talk to your doc about this. Ask if there are any other options. I used to take Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium. Inquire about those.OTC Tagament works pretty well for me too. But, I'm not sure it "heals" the way the others do.Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Hey there Sarah,I also have GERD and H, Hernia...I am taking PRevicid (2x daily),Zantax (at night) and Sucralfate( 4x daily), the last one is because I have an excessively larg amount of bile in my stomach, and now I am also drinking Cholestrymine, which GI states will help with the GERD as well, not sure how tho, I can't stop any f the other meds as he wanted, cause when I do , within 12 hrs I am dying of heartburn and throwing up...nice hey??? MAybe you need to try one of those????Cyndi

Tagamet is not used that much anymore as it does interact with a number of drugs. For some reason Pepcid doesn't. I have not tryed the Aciphex as I was always given samples of the others. After a while I start to have problems with Nexium and nausea so switch to Prevacid and then eventually back to Nexium. I also take two Pepcid before bed. I have also done the Tagamet for a few weeks as sometimes it seems to soothe my stomach but do watch the interactions.

Just get some different samples before you go out and buy anything. It is doubtful that you would be allergic to all even though the DRs. say they are all the same, they are not. they are for the same thing but not the same chemistry. I cannot take Protonix as it makes my esophagous worse but can take Nexium and Prevacid. Pepcid is good as is Tagamet as I mentioned. It has the most soothing effecton my esophagous. You can double the over the counter dose because when it was a prescription it was double. Just for OTC they make if half dose. Same for Prilosec. But with TAgamet check for med interactions.

I went in Friday for a colonoscopy and told my dr. about the AcipHex, so she gave me samples of four different PPIs. I'm trying the prevacid first as it didn't list headache as a se...but, I just was awoken with acid refulx..drats, and just as I was drifting off to sleep.She also told me the biopsy from the endoscopy showed Barrett's esophagus, so I suppose that means I definatley need a PPI, right?Anyone have any experience with the Barretts?